Eleanor Finch
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. In this paragraph, we will explore the history of the USS Constitution, including its old name and its significance in American history.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | USS Constitution, Old Ironsides, Old Constitution |
| Type | Frigate |
| Year of Launch | 1797 |
| Date of Launch | 21 October 1797 |
| Place of Launch | Hartt's Shipyard, Boston, Massachusetts |
| Designer | Joshua Humphreys |
| Builder | Edmund Hartt |
| Length | 204 ft (62 m) |
| Width | 43 ft 6 in (13.26 m) |
| Keel Thickness | 21 inches (530 mm) |
| Materials | Wood, pine, oak, copper bolts and spikes |
| Crew | Commander Mike Beck |
| Notable Battles | War of 1812, First Barbary War, Quasi-War with France |
| Current Status | Oldest commissioned warship afloat, used for educational outreach and historical preservation |
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What You'll Learn
- The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat
- The USS Constitution was designed by Joshua Humphreys and launched in 1797
- The USS Constitution was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts
- The USS Constitution was one of six frigates authorized by Congress with the Naval Act of 1794
- The USS Constitution has been restored and reconstructed multiple times and continues to sail annually in Boston Harbor
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat
The USS Constitution was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts. Its hull was built 21 inches thick and its length between perpendiculars was 175 feet, with a 204-foot overall length and a width of 43 feet and 6 inches. The ship's primary materials consisted of pine and oak, including southern live oak which was cut from Gascoigne Bluff and milled near St. Simons Island, Georgia. Enslaved workers were used to harvest the oak used for the ship's construction.
The USS Constitution began its service as the oldest commissioned warship in the U.S. Navy by participating in the Quasi-War with France from 1798 to 1800 and in the First Barbary War from 1801 to 1805. During the War of 1812, it gained its nickname, Old Ironsides, after being victorious in battle against HMS Guerriere on 19 August 1812. It also defeated HMS Java on 29 December and HMS Cyane and HMS Levant on 20 February 1815.
By 1833, the USS Constitution needed repairs and was almost scrapped before Oliver Wendell Holmes' poem Old Ironsides helped save her. She was recommissioned in 1835 and served in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, and Pacific. While serving with the African Squadron in November 1853, the Constitution captured the American slaver H.N. Gambrill, her last prize.
Today, the USS Constitution remains a popular attraction, with over 500,000 people walking across its decks annually. It is open to visitors year-round, offering tours and educational outreach about the Navy's role in war and peace. The ship's crew also actively participates in public events, such as leading the parade of tall ships up Boston Harbor for Operation Sail and firing its guns at one-minute intervals.
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The USS Constitution was designed by Joshua Humphreys and launched in 1797
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat. It was launched in 1797 and was one of six original frigates authorised for construction by the Naval Act of 1794. It was the third of these frigates to be constructed and was designed by Joshua Humphreys.
Humphreys designed the frigates to be the capital ships of the young US Navy. As a result, the USS Constitution and her sister ships were larger and more heavily armed than the standard frigates of the period. They were built to be powerful enough to take on any frigates of the French or British navies, while also being fast enough to evade any ship of the line.
The USS Constitution was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts. Its first duties were to provide protection for American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and to defeat the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War. It is most well-known, however, for its actions during the War of 1812 with the United Kingdom, during which it captured numerous British merchantmen and five warships: HMS Guerriere, Java, Pictou, Cyane, and Levant.
The name "Constitution" was among ten names submitted to President George Washington by Secretary of War Timothy Pickering in March or May 1795. The name was chosen to represent a principle of the United States Constitution. In December 1917, the ship was renamed Old Constitution due to her name being assigned to a projected battle cruiser, but she regained her original name in 1925 after the Washington Navy Treaty cancelled the warship.
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The USS Constitution was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat, with the ability to sail under its own power. The USS Constitution was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in Boston, Massachusetts, and launched in 1797. It was one of six original frigates authorized for construction by the Naval Act of 1794 and was the third constructed.
The name "Constitution" was among ten names submitted to President George Washington by the Secretary of War, Timothy Pickering, in March or May 1795. The frigates were originally designated by the letters A through F. President Washington selected five of the names: Constitution, United States, President, Congress, and Constellation. Each name represented a principle of the United States Constitution, while Constellation derived from the blazon of the Arms of the United States, "13 stars, forming a constellation."
The USS Constitution was designed by Joshua Humphreys to be larger and more heavily armed than standard frigates of the period, serving as the young Navy's capital ship. Construction began on November 1, 1794, under the supervision of Captain Samuel Nicholson, master shipwright Colonel George Claghorn, and Foreman Prince Athearn. The ship's hull was built 21 inches thick, with a length between perpendiculars of 175 feet and an overall length of 204 feet. The primary materials used were pine and oak, including southern live oak cut from Gascoigne Bluff and milled near St. Simons Island, Georgia.
The USS Constitution's first duties included providing protection for American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and defeating the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War. The ship is most noted for its actions during the War of 1812 with the United Kingdom, capturing numerous British merchantmen and five warships: HMS Guerriere, Java, Pictou, Cyane, and Levant. Today, the USS Constitution is berthed at Pier One of the former Charlestown Navy Yard in Boston, open to the public year-round. It continues to promote understanding of naval history and heritage through various programs and events, welcoming over 500,000 visitors annually.
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The USS Constitution was one of six frigates authorized by Congress with the Naval Act of 1794
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat and one of the original six frigates authorized by Congress with the Naval Act of 1794. The USS Constitution was launched in 1797 and was built at Edmund Hartt's shipyard in the North End of Boston, Massachusetts.
The six frigates were originally designated by the letters A through F until March 1795, when Secretary of War Timothy Pickering prepared a list of ten suggested names for the ships. President George Washington was responsible for selecting five of the names: Constitution, United States, President, and Congress, each of which represented a principle of the United States Constitution, together with Constellation, which derived from the blazon of the Arms of the United States, "13 stars, forming a constellation." The remaining three frigates were to be completed at a later date.
The USS Constitution was designed by Joshua Humphreys to be larger and more heavily armed and built than standard frigates of the period. Its first duties were to provide protection for American merchant shipping during the Quasi-War with France and to defeat the Barbary pirates in the First Barbary War. The USS Constitution is most noted for its actions during the War of 1812 with the United Kingdom, capturing numerous British merchantmen and five warships: HMS Guerriere, Java, Pictou, Cyane, and Levant.
Today, the USS Constitution is a popular tourist attraction, with more than 500,000 people walking its decks annually. It is open to visitors year-round and offers tours, with the USS Constitution Museum nearby. The ship underwent restoration work in 1925 and was recommissioned in July 1931, sailing on a 90-port tour along the United States' coasts. The USS Constitution continues to make an annual Turnaround Cruise in Boston Harbor on July 4th and serves as an educational and outreach symbol of the United States.
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The USS Constitution has been restored and reconstructed multiple times and continues to sail annually in Boston Harbor
The USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, is a three-masted wooden-hulled heavy frigate of the United States Navy. It is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat, having been launched in 1797. The USS Constitution was one of six original frigates authorised for construction by the Naval Act of 1794.
The name "Constitution" was among ten names submitted to President George Washington by Secretary of War Timothy Pickering in 1795. The frigates were originally designated by the letters A through F. President Washington selected five of the names: Constitution, United States, President, Congress, and Constellation. Each of these names represented a principle of the United States Constitution, with Constellation derived from the blazon of the Arms of the United States, "13 stars, forming a constellation."
The USS Constitution has undergone several restorations and reconstructions over the years to preserve its legacy. It was reconstructed in 1870, 1925, 1995, and 2015. In 2016, the ship underwent dry dock restoration work. The USS Constitution is open to visitors year-round, providing tours and educational programmes. It continues to sail annually in Boston Harbor on July 4th, known as the "Turnaround Cruise," and serves as a symbol of American history and naval power.
The USS Constitution earned its nickname, "Old Ironsides," during a battle when Sailors reported seeing cannonballs bounce off its hull. This resilient ship played a significant role in the War of 1812 with the United Kingdom, capturing numerous British merchantmen and five warships: HMS Guerriere, Java, Pictou, Cyane, and Levant. Its impressive battle record and longevity have made the USS Constitution a revered symbol of American naval history.
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Frequently asked questions
USS Constitution's nickname is Old Ironsides.
The USS Constitution earned the nickname "Old Ironsides" during a battle when Sailors reported seeing cannonballs bounce off its hull.
The USS Constitution was launched in 1797.
The USS Constitution's mission is to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace through active participation in public events and education through outreach programs, public access, and historic demonstration.
The USS Constitution is the world's oldest commissioned naval warship still afloat and is one of the original six frigates of the United States Navy.
